I hesitate to offer you this stain removal recipe, because you probably already know it: Mix equal parts of Cascade powdered dishwasher detergent with Tide 2. Add the hottest water you can find. Soak several hours. I have yet to find a stain that can resist this treatment. Maybe for this fine lace you'd have to dissolve the powder with hot water, then cool it before adding the lace. It might be worth a try...

Okay, here's my idea for a new HGTV show. You and a bunch of handsome carpenters (I'm sure your husband won't mind!) completely remodel, decorate and furnish an old house with things from Craig's list, Freecycle, ebay and thrift stores with rules for how much you can spend at one time.

When can you start?

P.S. The above photo essay of Elise is adorable but I can't count on blogger letting me comment twice in one day, so I'll put that comment here as well.

I want you to know that because of you I will definitely have a potted fern somewhere this summer. I've even been thinking of hanging big ones on each section of the front porch-but that could get pricey. I do love the look of flower boxes cascading flowers and then large ferns hanging above them though. . .

A random flower tip. I bought one of those small toothbrush holders with the 4 holes in it-it works pretty well as a "posey" vase for all those dandelions and violets that are lovingly picked by little hands.